Although they have nine games to play it seems Shankhouse have blown it as far as their championship hopes are concerned after a third consecutive defeat on Saturday.

Although they have nine games to play it seems Shankhouse have blown it as far as their championship hopes are concerned after a third consecutive defeat on Saturday.

Hosts Winlaton Hallgarth were 2-1 victors with goals by Mark Drake and Graeme King while Shankhouse's reply came from Chris Rue.

Benfield Saints, West Allotment Celtic and Carlisle City seem the only contenders in the Premier Division title race. Saints went six points clear by hammering bottom club Seaton Delaval 7-0 at Wheatridge Park. Steven Young is now the Division's leading scorer after bagging four. Also on target were Adam Scope and Andy Bowman with an own goal completing their tally.

Carlisle City are 11 points behind the leaders but have three games in hand and are unbeaten in their last 15 outings.

They beat visitors Spittal Rovers 3-0 but after Andy Walker scored City's opener just after the break they had to wait until the closing minutes for further goals by Jonathan Hall and Scott Priest.

Second-placed West Allotment Celtic took a break from chasing league points to reach the final of the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup. They beat semi-final visitors Ponteland United 3-0 with goals by Scott Bell (2) and Michael Fenwick and will meet Carlisle in the final at Penrith.

In midweek Northbank beat Albany Northern League outfit Penrith 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Cumberland Senior Cup. Their marksmen were Chris Grainger and Richard Ridley and Ridley netted again on Saturday in a 1-1 draw at Bedlington Terriers A. The Terriers, who have withdrawn their resignation, had taken a third-minute lead through Joe Kennedy. Amble United, who leave the Northern Alliance at the end of the season, drew 1-1 with visitors Percy Main. And Walker Central also drew 1-1 at home to Harraby Catholic Club. Dave Lawson scored for the Cumbrians and Ben Edusie levelled.